Western Fall River

This is a neighborhood undergoing transformation. The Taunton River borders the neighborhood to the west. For more than a century, Western Fall River was known for the textile mills and warehouses that stood along the banks of the Taunton. “While a handful of mills still operate today, most of them have been torn down or are being repurposed as senior living centers or luxury apartments,” says Donna Whritenour, a Realtor with Lamacchia Realty and a lifelong resident of Fall River. “People are coming back. Business-friendly millennials are buying here,” says Whritenour. The neighborhood’s waterfront is still industrial, but it’s apparent that change is coming. “It is beautifully refreshing to see what is happening there — and it’s only beginning to blossom,” says Whritenour.

While most of the area’s housing consists of apartment buildings and condominiums, there are pockets of single-family homes. “The buildings along the waterfront today are either multi-family structures, repurposed mills or small stores,” explains Whritenour. Many of the multi-family units have little to no yards, but if you head east, closer to the Highlands area of Fall River, there are single-family homes — Victorians, federal-style, ranches and split-levels. These houses tend to have large lots and manicured lawns. The streets are laid out in grid fashion with wide sidewalks and mature shade trees. Home prices in Western Fall River vary from about $175,000 for a 3-bedroom condo to $650,000 for a stately 5-bedroom Victorian with detached garage, hardwood floors and water views.

Schools in the area are served by Fall River Public Schools. James Tansey Elementary School has a student body of 281, with a student-teacher ratio of 18-to-1. It has a B-minus rating from Niche. Morton Middle School has a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio and 694 students. Niche gives the school a C rating. B.M.C. Durfee High School has more than 2,300 students, yet it boasts an enviable student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1. It has a solid B-rating from Niche. Its World Languages department offers students the opportunity to earn a Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy in Arabic, French, Portuguese or Spanish.

The neighborhood is home to two well-known parks. In 1904, landscape architect Frederick Olmsted, one of the Central Park architects, designed Western Fall River’s North Park. Olmsted believed that people from all walks of life should have access to beautiful scenery, winding walkways and flowing, open public spaces. North Park has all of that and more. Over the years, it has been home to soapbox derby races and Little League tournaments. It has 2 baseball fields as well as tennis courts, a skateboard park and a playground. In the winter, the park boasts an ice-skating rink and sledding hills that kids say are the best in all of Fall River. On the waterfront, the 2-acre Bicentennial Park features a World War II memorial. The park also has a playground, tennis courts and a boat ramp. There is a 1-mile walking trail visitors can take that leads to Battleship Cove, home to the U.S.S. Massachusetts and other WWII naval vessels. The nearby Freedom Boat Club is a membership-based boating club. For a nominal fee, members can use the club’s boats without worrying about maintenance and storage fees and hassles.

When you need to pick up essentials, there are several convenience stores in the area. Riverside Farms offers the essentials such as milk and butter. For larger shopping trips, SouthCoast Marketplace is a 6-mile drive, but here shoppers will find a theater, a casino and an assortment of stores that include PetSmart, T.J. Maxx and Five Below. Market Basket Supermarket offers reasonably priced groceries.

If you’re hungry, the Tipsy Toboggan is a six-minute walk from the shoreline. The restaurant offers rustic pub fare. Enjoy views of the river as you sip one of their home-brewed ales in the outdoor beer garden. In the winter, order a hearty stew while warming up at the large brick fireplace. In the mood for something a little fancier? Whritenour says The Cove restaurant on the waterfront serves memorable food and unforgettable views.

Written By

Robin Beres

Photography Contributed By

Alan Bates

Video By

Adam Lapallo